Are Elderberries Good for Congestion?

Partly: elderberries may help with cold-related congestion if their possible effect on overall cold symptoms extends to a stuffy nose, but a decongestant mechanism has not been established.

Can elderberries relieve congestion?

Elderberries are not a proven way to clear a blocked nose. One trial found that a commercial elderberry extract was associated with shorter colds and lower overall symptom scores, but it did not establish an effect on congestion specifically.

That makes elderberries a possible complementary food or supplement, not a dependable decongestant. For a broader look at dietary options, see the best foods for congestion.

How might elderberries affect congestion?

A stuffy nose can result from swelling of the nasal lining, mucus, or both. Colds are one possible cause, but allergies and other conditions can also produce congestion, so a remedy studied for colds may not help every blocked nose.

Elderberries contain naturally occurring plant compounds that are being studied for their effects on immune responses. It is not established that these compounds reduce nasal swelling or clear mucus in people, and a possible effect on overall cold symptoms should not be mistaken for a demonstrated decongestant action.

Staying hydrated can support normal body functions while you have a cold, but it does not make elderberries a targeted treatment for congestion. For hydration options, see the best drinks for congestion.

What does the evidence say?

In a 2016 randomized controlled trial of 312 air travelers, participants received a standardized elderberry extract or a placebo around the time of international travel. Among those who reported colds, the elderberry group had shorter cold episodes and lower overall symptom scores; the difference in the number of cold episodes was not statistically significant.

The trial provides some support for a possible effect on overall cold symptoms, but it has important limits. Relatively few participants reported colds, and the findings do not establish whether elderberries relieved nasal congestion on its own.

The study also tested a particular extract, not whole elderberries or a homemade preparation. Different products are not necessarily equivalent, and the result does not show that starting elderberries after a nose becomes stuffy will provide relief.

How can you use elderberries safely?

If you choose to try elderberries, select a commercially prepared product labeled for consumption and follow its directions. There is no established dose of elderberries for relieving congestion, and taking more than the label recommends is not a proven way to make them work better.

Commercial products can differ in formulation, so results from the trial cannot be assumed for every product. Check the label for ingredients that you need to avoid, and ask a pharmacist or clinician if you are unsure whether a product is suitable for you.

Do not eat raw elderberries or use unripe berries, leaves, stems or other plant parts in a homemade preparation. Raw or improperly prepared elderberries can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; commercially prepared products or thoroughly cooked, ripe berries are safer choices.

For the stuffy nose itself, a saline nasal spray may help clear mucus when used as directed. If you use a nasal rinse, use distilled or sterile water, or water that has been boiled and cooled, and clean the device according to its instructions.

Who should be careful, and when should you seek care?

Ask a clinician before using an elderberry supplement if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a chronic medical condition, or take medicines regularly. This is especially sensible if you have an immune system condition or take an immunosuppressant, because the effects and potential interactions of supplements are not well established.

Check with a child’s clinician before giving them an elderberry supplement. Do not use elderberries to replace prescribed care or stop a medicine because you have started a supplement.

If you develop vomiting or diarrhea after eating raw or improperly prepared elderberries, contact a poison control service or a clinician promptly. Seek urgent medical care for severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, confusion or swelling around the eyes.

See a clinician if congestion lasts more than 10 days without improvement, becomes severe, or improves and then worsens. Seek advice sooner if you are concerned about a child or have a condition that puts you at higher risk of complications.